Pipeline leak risks ‘massive casualties’

A RUPTURE or leak from the controversial gas pipeline on the north Mayo coast would cause massive casualties and countless deaths, a report claimed yesterday.

Independent investigators warned the project had been shrouded in spin and propaganda, and insisted the route of the pipe, only 70 metres from some homes in Rossport, was unacceptable.

The report, compiled by the Centre for Public Inquiry, attacked global oil giant Shell over plans for an onshore gas processing plant at Bellanaboy.

It said decisions were being rushed into and project managers were suffering from Space Shuttle syndrome, ploughing ahead with flawed plans while ignoring the risks.

The report asked: “Is the Corrib project another space shuttle rushing to launch at all costs without listening to reason about a flawed initial design or routing approach?”

American consultant Richard Kuprewicz said the project was very unusual, and ultimately posed a severe threat to life. He highlighted five major flaws:

* The pipeline has a uniquely large rupture impact zone, with potential for high fatalities.

* There are too many unknowns regarding the future operation of this pipeline - especially in gas pressure and composition that could cause failure.

* The thick-walled pipe specified for use is not invincible to leak or rupture - the proposed pipeline will transport gas at high pressure in a raw state, containing metals and radioactive gases. There is compelling evidence to suggest that internal corrosion of the pipeline is likely.

* The maximum pipeline pressure has not been clearly demonstrated or documented, a grave deficiency.

* Difficulties with locating the gas processing plant offshore have been overstated, and routing analyses for the onshore system are seriously deficient.

The report, published by chairman of the centre and former High Court judge Mr Justice Feargus Flood, raised serious concerns about risk analyses and safety-based decisions.

Mr Kuprewicz, president of US-based consultants Accufacts Inc, said he had uncovered information which would dispel the illusion or myth that the one-inch-thick wall of the Corrib pipe was invincible.

He said suggestions that the pipe could not rupture from internal corrosion needed to be seriously challenged and investigated.

The report said: “Attempts to characterise thick-walled pipe as somehow invincible or better than thin-walled pipe appear to be incomplete efforts to deceive an uninformed government, public, or management team.”

It called for the pipe to be at least 200m from homes to avoid massive casualties and multiple fatalities. At some points, the Shell line passes less than 70m from the front door of three of the five men jailed for their protests against the scheme, Philip McGrath, Brendan McGrath and Brendan Philbin.

The inquiry team, funded by American businessman Chuck Feeny, said reviews of an offshore processing plant overstated difficulties and costs while understating risks of an onshore plant.

The report showed the devastation caused by a pipe rupture in Carlstad, Mexico following intense corrosion. A total of 12 people 200m from the leak were killed.